The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1887-01-11

ground.
Keep the roadsidcs FREQ from stones and
rubbish and neatly mown. Don't let
them be a nursery of weed seeds.
The best timo for soil pu:verization
is the autumn. because the frost will
then penetrate the earth during the win
ter.
Pinch off the new growth on the ever
green trees, and you will be astonis he'd
how thick and stocky they will soon be-
come.
Encourage the poultry to forage in
grain and hay fields after harvest.
Give a light breakfast and nothing till
evening.
AT this season if young chicks and
turkeys droop the lice may be the cause.
Whenever a young one is sick examine
closely for lice.
Tar ought not to be used in marking
sheep. It dries into a hard lump, which
must be cut off by hand before the wool
is manufactured.
Ono early hoeing is worth several later
ones, and the wisest farmer never allows
the weeds get the start of him, but
always keeps them very close to the
ground.
If cabbage heads begin to burst lift
them gently Sc as to loosen the root,
or cut and pile them in a cool, dry
place. They will keep in this manner
for weeks.
Two or three cats kept in tho barn
summer and winter may keep it free
from rats, but they will not trouble the
rodents much if pampercd and pcttcd
about the kitchen stove.
To protect young fruit trees in I'M
fenced lots or along the roadsidcs, drive
three stakes around the tree and wind
barbcd wire around them close enough
to keep an animals teeth away from the
tree.
Fruit that cannot be sold may be
dried, evaporated, made into cider for
vinegar, or jelly. In this manufactured
form it a be kept as long as ncces-
sary and sold when>a fair price can be
secured.
Every farmer should prevent the kill
ing of birds on his place. Boys with
cheap shot-guns pepper away at every
thing with wings; and when tho birds
are dead the insects eat up tho farmers
produce.
Seeds Of pcrcnnials often terminate
slowly, and they should be sown where
they can be seen daily and the soil kept
moist. After sowing and watering it
is we'll to give a mulch Of short grass,
which will keep the soil from drying out.
Sow the seeds in fine, light soil, and if
possible in a place somewhat shaded.
A cold frame is best for such seeds.
Where climbing roses do not bloom,
other conditions being correct, we
should practice root pruning. Before
laying down the stems in the fall, dig a
trench around the plants about four
feet away from the base and cut off the
roots that are met with. If the cause is
too luxuriant growth, this operation will
check it. When blooming has once
commenced that will probable tax tho
strength of the plant so as to restrain its
excessive vigor.
A correspondent has trouble with her
roses, which blackcn and burst from the
bottom of the bud. Tho trouble with
these rose buds was caused by excessive
heat, which had the effect of causing
the flowers to open rapidly, and at the
same time the outer petals were soma
what dry and stuck together by their
own moisture and that of the dew, max
ing a firm exterior covering that
would not part, hence the buds burst ut
the bottom.
Every living active part of n plant
contains a certain amount of water.
From many juicy parts 90 per cent. of
water can be expelled by drying; many
green leaves hold from rs to 80, while
from seeds which we call "dry" it is
sometimes possible to drive out 10 pei
cent. Part of this water is so intimate
ly combined with the plant structure
that if it is once expelled it, cannot be
again taken up in such a manner as to
restore the plant to its former condi-
ton.
Household Hints.
A cup of strong coffee will remove the
odor of onions from the breath.